Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.96%

Expect a boost from Wall Street today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 31.94 points or 0.96% lower to 3293.13 on Thursday, taking the year-to-date performance to +14.31%.

The top active stocks yesterday were Rowsley, which gained 16.31%, Global Logistic, which declined 0.30%, Singtel, which declined 1.02%, DBS, which declined 1.88% and UOB, with a 2.43% fall.

According to OCBC Investment Research, the Nasdaq Index continued to close at a record, but U.S. stocks closed mostly lower as the Home Depot stock was a drag on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Meanwhile, seven out of 11 S&P 500 industries ended lower, with Materials (-0.83%) leading the loss, whilst Telecommunication Services (1.41%) led the gains.

"The continued gains on Wall Street overnight could bring some support to the local bourse this morning," the brokerage firm said.